OCR Text |
Show and upland game bird habitat through the reservoir area would be a significant loss, and values would be assessed by the Bureau of Sport Fisheries and Wildlife and the Utah State Division of Wildlife Resources. The filling of the reservoir would displace many species of non- game birds and animals. The overall impacts of the inundation on these populations and communities would not be severe. Streamside and marsh habitat for amphibians would be eliminated and replaced by slowly fluctuating shoreline habitat « , Thus impacts upon amphibians should be mild. Reptiles in the area would suffer a loss in summer feeding grounds ( meadows) that would reduce local populations. At high water level about 5 miles of Provo River stream habitat would be lost by inundation. The fishery quality of this portion of the river is uncertain. The State Division of Wildlife Resources rates it as Class II and III ( of great importance to the fishery program). However, the Bureau of Sport Fisheries and Wildlife in its 1965 assessment of the Bonneville Unit indicated that excessive annual spring flows, caused by importation of water through the Duchesne Tunnel of the Provo River Project, had scoured away much of the good quality habitat and that flood control channelization had eliminated additional habitat. The operation of the Jordanelle Dam would improve the quality of the aquatic habitat ( particularly fish species) in about 10 miles of the river downstream from the dam by producing an annual guaranteed minimum flow of 50 second- feet. Presently this section of stream is completely dewatered periodically. Until the State re- evaluates this section of stream, after Unit operation begins, the potential classification of the fishery is unknown. Incorporation into the proposed plan of multilevel reservoir outlets for selective water withdrawal was not recommended by the cooperating agencies. The proposed Jordanelle Reservoir would inundate 5 miles of the Provo River that presently constitutes water suitable for recreational boating. ^ The changes in flow that would result during the irrigation season below Jordanelle Dam would not have any adverse impact on the boating potential. ( Refer to the upper Provo River stream flow figures associated with paragraph C4c( 3)( k).) During the early part of the irrigation season about 400 c0f. s. of flow would be in the river. This amount would be suitable for boating. 239 |